Please Poison-proof Your Home

Dear Abby: Three years ago I wrote to tell you that the incidence of child deaths from aspirin had been reduced by 88 percent due to the child-resistant caps on pill containers.

I also mentioned that because older people with painful arthritis in their fingers complained about how difficult it was to open those child-proof caps, regular caps could be obtained from the pharmacist for the asking. I then urged you to warn grandparents to poison-proof their homes in case their grandchildren visited them because small children love to explore the cupboards, cabinets and drawers in their grandparents` homes.

I was at the Seattle Poison Center at the time-and I am still here-so I hope you will run your valuable tips again on how to poison-proof your home. It would be ideal if you ran it during the week of March 20-26 as that is Poison Prevention Week.

Thank you, Abby, on behalf of all your readers who will clip that column and keep it handy.

Elizabeth Bennett,

Seattle Poison Center

Dear Elizabeth: The number of children who have died and/or have been seriously injured ingesting poisonous substances found in the home would make you weep.

It is the responsibility of adults to poison-proof their homes to prevent children from becoming victims.

First: Never take medicine in front of children. They love to imitate adults. Also, never call medicine ``candy.``

Store all cleaning supplies out of sight and out of reach of children.

(Never leave cleanser or detergent under the kitchen or bathroom sink.)

Keep all products in their original containers.

Discard old medicines by flushing them down the toilet.

Here is a checklist of potential poisons found in the home. These products should be locked up or kept out of reach of children:

FIRST AID FOR POISONINGS: Keep syrup of ipecac on hand in your home, but do not use it except on the advice of your physician or the poison center.

(Call information now for your local poison center`s 24-hour hot-line number, and keep it on or near your phone.)

Poison prevention is the best antidote for poisonings, but accidental poisoning can occur in any home. The natural impulse is to act at once, but the wrong treatment for poisoning is often more harmful than none. So call your physician or your local poison center for advice immediately.